Vancouver police are investigating after a taxi was captured on camera driving along one of the city’s downtown separated bike lanes.
The video was captured by a visitor to Vancouver in town for a conference on transit issues on Sunday, who was travelling from the airport.
In the video, the cab can be seen travelling along the Dunsmuir bike path for about two blocks before merging back into normal traffic near Burrard Street.
In a statement Wednesday, Surdell Kennedy Taxi said the cab driver has been suspended indefinitely without pay as the company investigates the incident.
The company further said it does not condone the behaviour and apologized on behalf of the driver.
Vancouver police said their traffic section was looking into the video and would speak with the driver once he was identified. Police said the driver could be slapped with a fine and a ticket under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Get breaking National news
WATCH: Metro Vancouver taxi drivers vow to fight ridesharing
The passenger posted the video to social media, writing, “Wishing Vancouver had Uber and Lyft. Both of which would allow me to easily make a complaint in the app.”
Ridesharing Now for BC spokesperson Ian Tostenson said the video belies the argument that taxis are safer than rideshare.
WATCH: Transportation minister gives advice to independent board on ridesharing
“What happens with a rideshare driver, if they have a major infraction — something they can’t explain — they’re taken off the system,” he said.
“They can’t accept rides, they can’t take rides. Whereas taxi drivers, had that video not been exposed, then I guess the drivers just keep driving the road.”
The timing of the video is not ideal for the taxi industry, coming just as companies launch a campaign arguing new rideshare regulations are unfair.
The industry argues that rideshare companies have an unfair advantage due to cheaper insurance, no zone boundaries and no caps on fleet sizes.
- Hiker found alive after missing for weeks in B.C.’s Northern Rocky Mountains
- Hundreds turn out to speak as Vancouver mulls gas heating ban for new homes
- Henry cautions about ponds, petting zoos as source of B.C. bird flu case remains a mystery
- Global experts gather in Vancouver for summit on international security
-
![]()
Man who stabbed stranger released again -
![]()
Nova Scotia election: Zach Churchill says Liberals ‘fought hard’ despite devastating loss -
![]()
Nova Scotia NDP ‘on the rise’ with Official Opposition win: Chender -
![]()
Nova Scotia election: Tim Houston says he’ll ‘never stop’ standing up for Nova Scotians in victory speech
Comments